Kim Jong Un and Lukashenko congratulated Putin on Russia Day

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on Russia Day, which is celebrated on June 12. In his telegram, which was published by the Central Telegraph Agency of Korea (CTAK), Kim, without directly mentioning the war in Ukraine, expressed his support for Putin.

“Comrade Kim Jong-un emphasized that today the struggle of the Russian people against the growing threat and challenge of hostile forces, which are trying to undermine the country’s sovereignty, security and peaceful life, is meeting a new critical phase,” the document states in particular. It also mentions the friendship between the Russian and North Korean peoples and that “the people of the DPRK provide full support and solidarity to the Russian people in their all-out struggle for the implementation of the sacred cause of preserving sovereign rights.”

The DPRK is one of three countries in the world, apart from Russia and Syria itself, that recognized Moscow’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions last fall. During the war, it was reported about the supply of weapons to Russia from the DPRK, but they have not been officially confirmed.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko also congratulated Putin on Russia Day. He wished the people of Russia “peace and harmony” and noted that Putin’s policy, in his opinion, “continually strengthens positions on the international arena.” Congratulations have also been received from a number of other leaders of countries that Moscow considers friendly.

Russia Day is a national holiday celebrated annually on June 12. On June 12, 1990, the First Congress of People’s Deputies of the RSFSR adopted the Declaration on State Sovereignty of Russia, which many historians and political scientists consider one of the important steps on the way to the collapse of the USSR. Publicly regretting the collapse of the Soviet Union, the current authorities of Russia did not abandon the holiday, on the contrary, they use it for propaganda purposes.

The Ministry of Defense of Russia recorded a series of videos with military personnel reading the poem “I am Russian! Thank you, Lord!” as a congratulatory message for the holiday. Former President Dmitry Medvedev published a picture of Kyiv’s Independence Square with the Russian flag in a telegram.

Vladimir Putin is expected to present the stars of labor heroes awarded with this title today in the Kremlin.

Independent Russian mass media opposing the war in Ukraine are holding a marathon of solidarity with political prisoners on Russia Day.

Speaking against the war, the artist Philippenzo (Filip Kozlov) made his new work “Izrossilovanie” in Moscow in honor of Russia Day, Sota reports. “What this country is doing today cannot be called another word,” he wrote on his channel.